Magnum, P.I.

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Magnum, P.I.
Title card (seasons 3-8)
Genre	Drama, Crime
Created by	Donald P. Bellisario Glen A. Larson
Written by	Donald P. Bellisario Glen A. Larson Chris Abbott
Directed by	Ray Austin Michael Vejar Ivan Dixon
Starring	Tom Selleck John Hillerman Roger E. Mosley Larry Manetti
Narrated by	Tom Selleck
Theme music composer	Mike Post Ian Freebairn-Smith (season 1)
Composer(s)	Pete Carpenter Mike Post Ian Freebairn-Smith (season 1)
Country of origin	United States
Language(s)	English
No. of seasons	8
No. of episodes	162 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Donald P. Bellisario Glen A. Larson Tom Selleck
Producer(s)	Tom Greene
Location(s)	Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Running time	48 min. (excluding commercials)
Broadcast
Original channel	CBS
Picture format	480i (SDTV)
Audio format	Monaural
Original run	December 11, 1980 – February 24, 1988

Magnum, P.I. is an American television series starring Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, a private investigator living on Oahu, Hawaii. The series ran from 1980 to 1988 in first-run broadcast on the American CBS television network.

According to the Nielsen Ratings, Magnum, P.I. consistently ranked in the top twenty U.S. television programs during the first five years that the series was originally telecast in the United States.^[1] Originally appearing in a prime time American network timeslot of 8 p.m. Eastern on Thursdays, Magnum, P.I. was one of the highest-rated shows on U.S. television.

[edit] Premise

Tom Selleck, filming a scene for the episode Echoes of the Mind in April 1984 at the Kahala Hilton Hotel in Hawaii. The woman standing to his left is Sharon Stone, who guest-starred in this episode

Thomas Sullivan Magnum lives and resides in the 'guest house' of a posh, 200-acre (0.81 km²) beachfront estate, known as Robin's Nest, in Hawaii, at the invitation of its owner, Robin Masters, the celebrated-but-never-seen author of several dozen lurid novels. Ostensibly this is quid pro quo for Magnum's services based upon Magnum's claimed expertise in security; the pilot suggests Magnum also did Masters a favor of some kind.

In addition, Robin’s Nest is guarded by two highly-trained Doberman Pinschers, Zeus and Apollo, and all other aspects of the estate are managed by Englishman Jonathan Quayle Higgins III (played by Texas-born veteran actor John Hillerman), an ex-British Army Sergeant Major with whom, often as a humorous aside during various episodes of the series, Magnum must barter for use of estate amenities other than the guest house and the Ferrari 308 GTS (e.g., tennis courts, wine cellar, expensive cameras, etc.). During early seasons of Magnum, P.I., the voice of Robin Masters, heard only a few times per season, was voiced by Orson Welles.

A recurrent theme throughout the last two seasons involves Magnum's suspicion that Higgins is actually Robin Masters. This possibility is contradictory to numerous references throughout the series' run that make it clear they are different people. In spite of this, Higgins' dual identity remains an open question until the final episode, where he first admits he is Robin Masters, but later suggests what he had said about Robin Masters was a lie.

Magnum seemingly lives a dream lifestyle: he comes and goes as he pleases, works only when he wants to, has the almost unlimited use of a Ferrari 308 GTS as well as many other of Robin Masters’ luxuries. He keeps a mini-fridge with a seemingly endless supply of fictional Coops beer, wears his father's treasured Rolex GMT Master wristwatch,^[2] is seemingly surrounded by countless beautiful women (who are often his clients or victims in the cases he solves) and enjoys adventures with his buddies Rick and T.C., both former Marines he served with in the Vietnam War.^[3]

Interestingly, Magnum and Higgins often break the fourth wall by "locking eyes" with the audience; other characters do this, though less frequently.

At the end of the seventh season, Magnum was killed off, and this was intended to be the end of the series. However, there was outcry from fans, and an eighth, final season was produced, to bring Magnum 'back to life', and to round the series off.

[edit] Cast

• Tom Selleck as Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV: Magnum character's back-story includes a previous career as a former United States Naval Intelligence Officer. Growing up in Tidewater, Virginia, he's a Detroit-born third-generation naval officer, the son of a deceased naval aviator killed during the Korean War. He is also a 1967 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and Vietnam veteran, where he served as an intel officer. Magnum's specialized training includes acquiring appropriate expertise as a counter-insurgency expert, and also demonstrating additional expertise in lock picking and safe-cracking. Magnum played the field position of quarterback for the United States Naval Academy football team. The Magnum character is depicted to have resigned his commission in the U.S. Navy in disillusionment after approximately eleven years of service, including three tours of service during the U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. Magnum takes his Private Investigator job quite seriously and does not appreciate abbreviations for his profession such as P.I. and private eye — whenever referred to in such a manner he corrects the person and remarks that he is a "private investigator." It is also not clear what his age or place of birth is. In the season-two episode "Try To Remember," Magnum reports his date of birth (to an examining doctor) as August 8, 1944, his place of birth as Virginia, and his mother's name as Martha. These answers seem to satisfy the doctor (who, of course, has access to Magnum's medical records), though Magnum had sustained an injury to the head following a car accident. In the scene, his head is bandaged, and he has difficulty remembering the accident. Yet both the date and the year conflict with information in several other episodes. Tom Selleck's mother's name is, in fact, Martha, but Magnum's is Katherine in later episodes.

• Roger E. Mosley as Theodore Calvin, a.k.a. "T.C.": a helicopter pilot who operates a tourist charter business called Island Hoppers, wherein he pilots a Hughes 500D helicopter, decked out with distinctive livery. A former Marine Corps helicopter pilot in Vietnam, T.C.'s combat-trained flight skills are often solicited and put to good use by Magnum during the course of an investigation. T.C. is also powerfully built, a trait which Magnum often benefits from when he expects to, and often does, run into physical trouble. With the exception of some early season 1 episodes, T.C. avoids alcohol, instead preferring milk, soda, or juice, but mostly coffee. Often called Higgins "Higgy Baby".

• Larry Manetti as Orville Wilbur Richard "Rick" Wright^[4]: a suave playboy who is manager of the King Kamehameha Club, an exclusive beachfront members-only club. In the pilot, Rick owned a disco themed Rick’s Cafe Americaine, a.k.a. "The Snow Palace". Rick also maintains a number of underworld contacts (one of whom is gangland figure Francis “Icepick” Hofstetler, q.v.) and is an expert in weaponry. He was T.C.’s door gunner during the war in Vietnam.

• John Hillerman as Jonathan Quayle Higgins III: The Major Domo of "Robin's Nest" a mansion in Hawaii. Higgins has a storied military background in the British Army and loves order above all else. An inveterate "old war story" teller, Higgins received a Victoria Cross (which is hardly surprising if half of the tales he tells are true). He is a British Lord with title Count Perth.

[edit] Recurring characters

• Lt. Yoshi Tanaka — Homicide-division police lieutenant with the Honolulu police department (played by Kwan Hi Lim), characterized by his casual dress and ironic sense of humor. Seasons 2–8
• Agatha Chumley — Higgins' quintessentially English lady friend (played by Gillian Dobb). Seasons 1-8
• Colonel "Buck" Greene — Marine Corps intelligence officer (played by Lance LeGault), often Magnum's nemesis. Seasons 2–8
• Carol Baldwin — assistant district attorney (played in all but the first appearance by Kathleen Lloyd). Seasons 3–8 (Before playing Carol Baldwin, Lloyd guest starred in the episode "Almost Home" as Bridget Archer.)^[5]
• Lieutenant "Mac" MacReynolds — doughnut-munching Navy Intelligence lieutenant (played by Jeff MacKay), killed off in the series by Ivan, and later brought back as a ghost for one episode ("Infinity and Jelly Doughnuts") and then as a look-alike character (see below). Seasons 1–3 and 7–8
• Jim Bonick — con man (played by Jeff MacKay) who was MacReynolds' look-alike. In at least one episode ("Mac's Back") MacKay appeared in both roles. Seasons 5–8.
• Francis “Icepick” Hofstetler — loan-shark dabbling in the Hawaiian underworld—and Rick Wright’s father figure (played by veteran actor Elisha Cook, Jr
• Doc Ibold — minor character (played by Glenn Cannon) who appeared in many episodes whenever a physician was needed in the script. First referred to as "Script Writer #1", he was known for writing prescriptions for opiates for any and all ailments. Seasons 2–8.
• Michelle Hue — the love of Magnum’s life (played by Marta DuBois); they married in Vietnam but the marriage was erased legally and in Michelle's eyes when her presumed-dead husband, a North Vietnamese general, resurfaced); Magnum believed Michelle to have died during the 1975 evacuation of Saigon until her character was introduced in season 2's "Memories Are Forever." Seasons 2–8
• Lieutenant (later Lieutenant Commander) Maggie Poole — successor of the deceased MacReynolds (played by Jean Bruce Scott). Seasons 3–8
• Luther H. Gillis — mock-film noir private eye from St. Louis (played by Eugene Roche), and narrator of the five episodes in which he appeared. Seasons 4–8
• Moki - bartender of the King Kamehameha Club in Season 1. He was later replaced with Keoki. Seasons 1-?
• Keoki - bartender / server of the King Kamehameha Club starting in Season 2. Seasons 2-4
• Mike Scholl - nightclub manager often jealous of Magnum's mustache. Season 4

[edit] Guest Stars

The Cast of Magnum, P.I.:
(Top) Larry Manetti as Orville "Rick" Wright and Roger E. Mosley as T.C., (Bottom) Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum and John Hillerman as Jonathan Quayle Higgins III.

Former Five-O cast members Kam Fong, Herman Wedemeyer, Harry Endo and Zulu have guest-starred on Magnum, P.I.

[edit] Vehicles

[edit] Cars

Robin Masters' cars

• ROBIN 1 -
  • Season 1: Ferrari 308GTS
  • Seasons 2-3: Ferrari 308GTSi
  • Seasons 4-6: Ferrari 308GTSQv
  • Seasons 7-8: Ferrari 308GTSiQv
• ROBIN 2
  • Audi 5000 C2 (1980)
  • Audi 5000 C3 (1985)^[6]
• ROBIN 3 -
  • GMC Jimmy
  • Jeep Wagoneer (XJ Model)

Others

• Island Hoppers (TC's) van - Volkswagen Type 2 (T3)^[6]
• Rick's convertible - Mercedes-Benz R107^[7]
• Higgins hires a Reliant Robin in Déjà Vu Part 2 (episode 107).

[edit] Aircraft

• Island Hoppers (TC's) helicopter - Hughes 500D^[8]

[edit] Development

Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (September 2008)

Selleck's contract commitment to the Magnum, P.I. series famously cost him the role of Indiana Jones in the first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, which went to Harrison Ford.^[9] Selleck was unable to take the part of Indy as Magnum was due to start filming in March 1980. However, due to a writer's strike, the start of production on Magnum was delayed until December 1980, which would have allowed Selleck to play Indy. In Magnum, P.I.'s final season, the producers gave a nod to his sacrifice with the episode “Legend of the Lost Art”, which parodied the film.

[edit] List of episodes

[edit] DVD releases

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has released all eight seasons of Magnum P.I. on DVD in Region 1, 2 and 4.

• Region 2 release dates refer to the United Kingdom market only.

* Includes the crossover Season 2 episode from Simon & Simon titled "Emeralds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend".
** Includes the crossover Season 3 episode from Murder She Wrote titled "Magnum On Ice".
*** Includes the bonus Season 5 episode from The Rockford Files titled "White on White and Nearly Perfect" featuring Tom Selleck.

[edit] Ratings

• Season 1 - #14, 16.77 million viewers^[13]
• Season 2 - #17, 17.03 million viewers^[13]
• Season 3 - #04, 18.80 million viewers^[13]
• Season 4 - #06, 18.77 million viewers^[13]

[edit] Awards

Selleck won an Emmy in 1984 for his portrayal of the title character; three years later costar John Hillerman also won an Emmy.^[14] In 1981, series creators and writers Glen A. Larson and Donald P. Bellisario received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Episode in a TV Series.^[14][15]

[edit] In popular culture

• In a episode of the The Rugrats Angelica watches a program called Cynthia P.I.
• In the movie The Big Chill (film), Sam Weber, played by Tom Berenger, is a Hollywood star in a television series similar to Magnum, P.I.. Berenger has a mustache and bears a close resemblance to Tom Selleck.
• In the movie National Lampoon's Vacation (film), Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) uses a BB gun to take a theme park security guard (played by John Candy) hostage. When the guard points out that the brandished weapon is a fake, Clark replies, "Are you kidding? This is a Magnum P.I."
• In the series finale episode of Will & Grace, the recurring character Beverly Leslie (portrayed by Leslie Jordan) refers to putting on an episode of Magnum, P.I. to "get in the mood!"
• The Family Guy episode "Stuck Together Torn Apart" mocked Magnum, P.I., with Magnum repeatedly referring to Higgins as "Tattoo." When Higgins tries timidly to correct him repeatedly, he steps out of the Ferrari, slaps him to the ground, and asks his name. Higgins, even more timidly, says "Tattoo."
• In episode #149 (7.22) "Limbo," the song that plays off and on during the entire episode and as Magnum walks off is "Looking for Space" by John Denver. This episode, where Magnum was to be shot dead by mobsters, was to be the CBS series finale on 15 April 1987. When the show's fans heard this, there was a huge public outcry and the "shot dead" plotline was nixed by the producers. Magnum was indeed shot by mobsters in this episode, though he survived and returned for an unprecedented 8th season on CBS, filming 12 more episodes.
• In an episode of The Simpsons, Carl gives Homer a DVD player and the first season of Magnum, P.I. as a Christmas gift.
• The video Hard to Explain by The Strokes, begins with a scene from Magnum, P.I., where the Red Ferrari is accelerating from the dirt.
• The television show NCIS, also produced by Belisario, has numerous references to Magnum, P.I. In one episode, Magnum, P.I. is referred to by Tony DiNozzo, after finding some "Magnum's style" Hawaiian shirts. In the episode "Frame-Up", DiNozzo is interrogated and asked what he was doing the previous night, to which he responds that he was watching Magnum, P.I.
• One of the teaser movies for the game World in Conflict is a parody of Magnum, P.I.'s opening.
• Larry Manetti and Roger E. Mosley both appear in an episode of Las Vegas alongside Tom Selleck, playing characters named "Larry" and "Roger", respectively. Their characters are essentially older, multi-millionaire versions of their Magnum characters ("Larry" is a wealthy nightclub owner and "Roger" owns fleets of helicopters). It was stated there was a third "british" guy (possibly referring to Higgins) that was supposed to be there too.
• On My Name Is Earl, Earl dresses up as Magnum for Halloween.
• In 2008, a promo on the USA Network for the upcoming season of Monk parodies the show, with Adrian Monk starring in "Monk, P.I."
• The show was parodied in the 2009 Chick-fil-A calendar where the show in April was referred to as Angus, P.I..
• Haha the Moose, a side project of the band moe., regularly incorporate the theme song from Magnum, P.I. into their setlist.
• In the show "Still Standing," Bill tells his son's high school friends that he is a private detective who lives in Hawaii. Bill then goes on to describe Thomas Magnum. Then one of the kids, who had seen the show "Magnum P.I." calls Bill out on his fib.
• In The Sopranos Magnum P.I. can be seen on the tv in the Episode where Christopher Moltisanti murders a newly retired police officer in his home.

[edit] Film adaptation

In January 2006, it was announced that a feature film is again in the planning stages (after several false starts, most recently in 2005). Rawson Marshall Thurber, whose filmmaking credits notably include Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, will direct and write the screenplay.^{[citation needed]}

In January 2007, it was reported that Matthew McConaughey will play Magnum, with Steve Zahn as Rick, Tyrese Gibson as T.C., and William H. Macy as Higgins.^[16]

In November 2009 the producer Brian Grazer dismissed the rumor that Matthew McConaughey will play the lead in the upcoming Magnum P.I. movie adaptation, produced by his company, Imagine Entertainment. With a script and director Rawson Thurber (Dodgeball) already on board, casting has been the project's biggest problem. Grazer told MTV: "I think the idea for 'Magnum P.I.' is to find a counterpoint, to not try and find the new Tom Selleck but to find someone that is just so different that you go, oh my God! That guy is Magnum?!?"

[edit] Broadcasters

• Australia: Channel 10 (1980-1988 Saturday 7.30pm), TV1 (2007 Tuesdays - Thursdays), Channel Seven (2009 Sunday 11am), 7Two (2009 Weekdays 11am)
• Austria: ORF1
• Bangladesh: BTV (Bangladesh Television) From mid 1985 to 1990
• Belgium: VTM,VT4
• Brazil: Globo, TNT, Rede 21, Sony, TCM
• Bulgaria: Diema
• Canada: First run was on CTV; currently in syndication on DejaView
• Croatia: RTL
• Colombia: Cadena Uno, (now Canal 1), Sony
• Estonia: TV3
• Finland: MTV3. Magnum, as it was known in Finland, was first heavily edited and then cancelled as "too violent" during its first season. It has never been broadcast after that in any of the main Finnish TV-channels.
• France: France 3 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 09:30 AM
• Germany: ARD, RTL, Super RTL, DAS VIERTE
• Hungary: Viasat 3, Magyar Televízió, Story televízió
• India: STAR World (2004-05)
• Ireland: RTÉ One
• Israel: Channel 1
• Italy: Fox Retro
• Lithuania: TV3 Lithuania
• The Netherlands: Veronica, SBS6, Net 5, 13th Street(UPC Digital TV)
• Mexico: Televisa Canal 5
• Nepal: Nepal Television
• New Zealand: (first run, 1980): TV2, (reruns, 1990s and onwards): TV3
• Norway: (first run, 1980s): NRK, (reruns, 1990s and onwards): TVNORGE
• Pakistan: NTM
• Poland: Telewizja Polska Program 2
• Russia: STS (Russian: СТС)
• Slovenia: POP TV
• South Africa: SABC
• Spain: (Galicia:) TVG
• Sweden: (First run, 1980s): SVT (reruns 2005 and onwards): Kanal 5
• Turkey: TRT 2, Star TV
• United Kingdom: ITV Regional (1981 - early 1990s, billed as simply 'Magnum'), Five (formerly Channel 5) (2002-2003), Men & Motors (2006- ) DMAX (2009-)
• United States (first run): CBS
• United States (Syndication): Retro Television Network Weeknights 10:00 PM ET, The CW Weeknights 11:30 PM ET
• Zimbabwe: ZTV1

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Magnum, P.I.

• Magnum, P.I. (series) at epguides.com
• Magnum, P.I. at the Internet Movie Database
• Magnum, P.I. at TV.com
• Magnum Mania
• Where to watch Magnum, P.I. online at Best Online TV Shows.